Although the dug’s supper of a playing surface was far from attractive, goals from Kwame Poku and Ephron Mason-Clark gave the squad a crucial three points, especially considering that the other four teams in the top five also triumphed.
During a first half in which Posh were frequently laborious and ineffectual, Exeter had levelled by a deflected strike. However, in the second half, they upped their game for a 10-minute purple patch, during which Poku hammered home from the edge of the penalty area to win the match.
Hector Kyprianou took Jeando Fuchs’ spot in the Posh midfield due to an injury, as was predicted, and David Ajiboye was back on the bench after missing last weekend’s match against Cambridge.
Exeter altered their starting lineup three times. Due to a ban, star striker Reece Cole was not there, and previous million-pound Posh acquisition Mo Eisa was starting on the bench.
Posh had a free week prior to the match, but you wouldn’t have known it because of how slowly they started and nearly gave up early goals.
After forty seconds, Luke Harris missed the mark with a horrible pass from Ronnie Edwards. Harrison Burrows quickly followed with a terrible, but Edwards arrived in time to make a crucial tackle.
Amazingly, four minutes from their opening attack, Posh seized the lead. Malik Mothersille outran his marker with remarkable speed and control. Viljami Sinisalo of Exeter made a great save to keep the ball out of his net, but Mason-Clark, who was lying on the ground, was the one who eventually swept it home.
Still, Posh played erratically. Mason-Clark and Burrows’ excellent connection created some excitement down the left, but the play was far too plodding and predictable, and bad decisions were made.
In the 23rd minute, Mothersille capitalised on a defensive blunder by Randall, but instead of shooting, he attempted to square up, giving a defender a chance to intercept. Mason-Clark also found himself in a shooting position two minutes later, but this time he attempted to square the ball and an Exeter defender came to clear.
Pumping the ball down the right wing gave Exeter delight, and that set up their move for their equaliser in the 36th minute. The motion appeared to have concluded with a weak cross, but neither Randall nor Poku were able to control the ball. Tom Carroll, who hadn’t scored since 2017, prepared to shoot from the corner of the penalty box, but his shot cannoned off Jadek Katongo’s back and looped agonisingly over custodian Jed Steer’s head. Despite this, there didn’t appear to be any danger.
Exeter started the second half with the intention of squandering time to get a point, but Posh gradually calmed down and manager Darren Ferguson made wise adjustments. Poku moved into the “10” position, and Ricky-Jade Jones continued to press and harass. Michael Olakibe was substituted for the unsatisfactory Randall. It’s concerning that Jones would subsequently hobble off while clutching his hamstring.
Before Poku, who would never have been in that position if he had stayed on the wing, found the corner of the net, Mason-Clark and Poku both had attempts solidly blocked.
Exeter had no choice but to become more daring. Yanic Wildschut, the substitute, appeared too quick for a worn-out Katongo, but Knight made one excellent interception at the near post, and Burrows, following excellent Mason-Clark work, forced a superb save from Sinisalo.
By now Eisa was hooked, and in the extra nine minutes he curled wide. Dion Rankine went over the crossbar in the final one.
That’s when Posh could unwind. They are far from their best, but the outcome is basically all that counts. They have already won two straight games, and on Tuesday they will play a local derby at home against a stronger-than-usual Northampton Town.
Posh: Ephron Mason-Clark, Malik Mothersille (sub Ricky-Jade Jones, 56 mins, sub Jonson Clarke-Harris, 90 + 4 mins), Joel Randall (sub Michael Olakigbe, 56 mins), Kwame Poku (sub David Ajiboye, 87 mins), Jadel Katongo, Harrison Burrows, Josh Knight, Ronnie Edwards, Hector Kyprianou, Archie Collins, and Joel Randall (sub Michael Olakigbe, 56 mins).
Unused subs Ryan De Havilland, Romoney Crichlow, Nicholas Bilokapic.
Exeter: Viljami Sinisalo, Ben Purrington, Zak Jules, Pierce Sweeney (sub MiIlenic Alli, 80 mins), Will Aimson (Dion Rankine, 69 mins), Tom Carroll, Ryan Woods (sub Mo Eisa, 60 mins), Ilmari Nishkanen, Sonny Cox (sub Harry Kite, 70 mins), Vincent Harper (sub Yanic Wildschut, 60 mins), Luke Harris.
